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February 2009 Letters To The Editor - In Box

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By Rick Pewe

The Ultimate Cost
Reader: I've really enjoyed your recent articles on fullsize pickups. The Ultimate Super Duty and the Ultimate Adventure Z71 were very informative and filled with great ideas. I do have several questions. What would the real-world cost be to build each of the projects mentioned?

I live in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and it seems your custom shops are not anywhere near where I live. I'm planning on getting an '00 or '01 GMC extended cab or F-250 SuperCab. Can you recommend any shops in my area?
John E. Goleck
via www.4wheeloffroad.com

Editor: The Ultimate Super Duty was done so long ago we have no idea what it took, but the UA Z71 is fresh in our minds. Here's a laundry list of what it took and the approximate real-world prices. Remember that prices vary considerably across the nation, as do labor and materials. Yes, it costs as much as a small house (except in California), but the results are worth it.

Labor: 800 hrs @ $? $?
Used truck $6,500
Transmission rebuild $1,200
Transfer case: ORD Doubler $770
Doubler linkage $290
Transfer cases $1,100
PSC Motorsports hydro assist $1,000
Dynatrac high-steer arms $300
Tubing $1,200
K&N Intake $292
Flowmaster exhaust kit and  
Hushpower muffler $490
Refurbished axles $2,000
Detroit Lockers $1,111
Dynatrac hubs, Foote axleshafts,  
CTM joints $2,389
Dynatrac differential covers $360
Bilstein shocks and Eibach coils $3,710
Warm M15000 winch $1,500
Warn VTC compressor $700
40-inch BFG KM2 M-Ts $3,000
17-inch Spyder locks $1,800
JE Reel Driveshafts $1,100
Superior gears and master install kits $675
Jazz fuel cell, pumps, and parts $1,200
Plumbing, brake lines, and fittings $1,000
Off Road Evolution four-link with engine  
cage, links, axles mounts, and joints $4,200
Off Road Evolution Universal Evo-lever rear $789
Off Road Evolution shackle/spring kit $700
Alcan leaf springs $300
Ape wrap $3,000
Custom laser etching $600
Paint for trucks $600
Currie antirock sway bar $285
Off Road Design disc-brake conversion $150
Dale Earnhardt Sr. floor mats Priceless
UA Z71 build tally (including truck) $44,311

He Really Likes Us
Reader: I just wanted to say I really enjoy your magazine. In the past I have read of readers crying about you guys not covering a broad variety of 4x4s. I started taking your magazine about three years ago. I decided to subscribe to your magazine because I didn't know anything about 4x4s. I am a avid Mopar man and only drive Mopars. Your magazine covers a little of everything. I have read many articles on Jeeps, Chevys, Fords, Dodges, Toyotas, Nissans, Suzukis, Scouts, and even Land Rovers. I am sure I have forgot some makes, but you guys do a great job of covering everything or at least trying to. I look forward every month to my magazine from you guys. I barely read my Mopar Muscle magazine anymore because the cars are out of my reach in price. You guys, on the other hand, take real-world applications, and anyone can do what you guys do. I loved the Ultimate Adventure with the yellow '75 Chevy K10. That was a great step-by-step. I got a lot of ideas for my Dodge from that. Keep up the great work, and try and feature an '80s Dodge Ram in an article sometime!
Trey Davis
via www.4wheeloffroad.com

Question Of The Month
Do you like to buy our mag on the newsstand or subscribe, and why?

Editor: Here's a new section where we ask you a pointed question, and we want as many responses as possible so we know what you think. We'll be asking questions ranging from budget wheeling to best trails to hottest product and everything in between. We'll even ask the old tried-and-true questions such as whether a manual or an automatic tranny is better, or if you like mud better than rocks. To make it simple, just go to our website, find the email link on the Contact Us page, and drop us a message with "Answer" as the subject line. We'll sort and separate the various answers and present the most popular ones right here in these pages. If this proves to be popular, we'll include it on the website as well. Worst-case scenario, write us directly at 4wor@sourceinterlink.com. We hope this works well for you and for us, and each month we'll answer a question and pose a new one.

By Rick Pewe
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